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NFL star tweets about Raise Ten for Ten scholarship drive

The Duckworth family is trying to turn their heartbreak of losing a son into an opportunity for others.

Thursday, May 18 marks a year since King High School student Chris Gregoire drowned trying to swim across the man-made lake near Oso Parkway and Lago Vista Drive.

The family hosted the Do Good For Ten Pay It Forward Initiative and Raise Ten for Ten Scholarship drive Friday at the AME Worship Center, 2101 N. Port Ave.

The Duckworths are trying to raise $10,000 for scholarships for members of the 2018 graduating class who face financial hardship.

"After he passed we found a notebook he wrote in with short-term and long-term goals," said Kenyatta Duckworth, Chris' mother. "He was really focused on his future and school was a big part of it. That's why we want to raise ten thousand dollars to give to ten students."

On Monday, New Orleans Saints quarter Drew Brees tweeted about the drive on his Twitter feed.

During the 2016 football season, King players wore helmets with a "CG" decal in remembrance of Chris Gregoire, a team mate who passed away May 18, 2016.(Photo: Caller-Times File)

Chris was looking forward to playing with the King High School Mustang varsity football team this year.

"Football was such a big part of his life so we wanted to incorporate that in this scholarship," Duckworth said. "Number ten was going to be his number with the Mustangs so we wanted to give out ten scholarships."

The family also chose to give the first scholarships to members of the 2018 class because that is when Chris would have graduated.

The Duckworths also will pass out toiletries and snacks to the homeless during the event, which they hope to repeat annually.

"Instead of focusing on our loss that day, our family has decided that we like to pay it forward and focus on others," Duckworth said. "Chris has been giving back since the age of six and we know this it what he would want us to be doing."

Those who follow in Chris' footsteps and help others are invited to share their good deeds with the Duckworths on social media.

"We want people to post their good deeds and add on #DoGoodFor10 and #Raise10for10," Duckworth said.